1Co 4:5 So before the Lord comes, you should wait a while before passing judgment. He will bring to light the things now hidden by darkness and will disclose the purposes of the hearts. Then the appropriate acclamation will come to each one from God.

1Co 4:6 I have patterned all these things to myself and Apollos for your understanding, brothers, so that you may learn through us not to go beyond what is written, so that none of you may act arrogantly in favour of one leader against another.

1Co 4:7 For who discriminates in your favour? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast like you did not receive it?

1Co 4:8 Already you have enough! Already you have become rich! Without us you have begun to reign! And I wish that you really did reign, so that we could reign with you!

crossing the line

The Corinthians were crossing the line. They were going beyond what is written in the scriptures, and favouring one set of leaders who agreed with their interpretation, discriminating against the others. The result was an ever-growing polarization in the church fellowships, with new rivalries starting every day.

Paul had to stop this, because he knew it would destroy the church. He encouraged the Corinthian Christians to stop passing judgment. He wanted them to stop picking their favourites and ignoring the other leaders. He told them that the scriptures had to be the limit of their discrimination, not one particular viewpoint endorsed by a particular leader.

He accuses the Corinthians of an over-realized eschatology. That is, they think they have progressed beyond needing the help of those very missionaries who planted their church. Paul wishes that they had already begun their millennial reign, but the fact is, they hadn’t. They are still being prepared, so they need to stop discriminating against the leaders with the least votes.